Quarterly Meeting of the State Committee of Vendors

DRAFT

August 21, 2026

Meeting called to order at 8:03 a.m.

Attendees
Committee Members: District Representative 1, Alton Palmore, via Teams; District 2 Representative, Patrick Martin; District 3 Representative, Mark Turner; District 4 Representative, Darryl Brinton; District 5 Representative, David Stevens; District 6 Alternate, Kash Ahmed; Alternate; District 7 Representative, Jose Quintanilla; District 8 Representative, Jim Warth; District 9 Representative, Mike McCrea; District 10 Representative, Antonio Gonzalez; Chair, Sead Bekric (via Teams); Vice Chair, Kurt Ponchak

Staff: Alan Risk, Bureau Chief; Darrio Turnquest, Compliance Officer; John Ahler, Business Analyst; Bernie Kaiserian, Region 2 Consultant; Jay Payne; Region 3 Consultant; Mark Holnes, Region 4 Consultant; Alecia Brown, Region 5 Consultant; Yusnay Torrens, Region 6 Consultant; Angela Elgaard, Region 7 Consultant; Mary Ellen Harding, Administrative Services Consultant; Andrea Mendez, Administrative Assistant III.

Guests: Valerie James, Colton Knight, Amber Ordaz, Cortney Bellande, Ed Spence

Introduction of new Region 4 Business Consultant, Mark Holness.
Agenda approved with the addition of discussion regarding a document submitted by a vendor representative under New Business.
June meeting minutes approved with minor corrections:

Correction to Angela Elgaard's name.
Clarification that TJ McCormick serves as a District 8 alternate.

Chair Report – Sead Bekric

Chair attended remotely due to family matters.
Reported favorable legal developments regarding military dining contracts and restoration of Randolph-Sheppard priority.
Encouraged district representatives to maintain communication with vendors and escalate concerns before they become program issues.
Emphasized the importance of district participation in statewide meetings.

Vice Chair Report – Kurt Ponchak
Program Budget and Military Dining

Reported successful approval of increased budget authority effective July 1.
Recognized collaborative efforts between committee leadership and DBS staff.
Expressed concerns regarding:

Budget authority limitations tied to military dining contracts.
Need for increased return on investment from military dining operations.
Evaluation standards for military dining operators.
Review of set-aside methodologies used by other states.

Program Improvement

Recommendation:

Celebrating vendor and staff successes in future statewide meetings.
Improving district representation during statewide meetings.
Continued collaboration between committee leadership and SLA staff.

Bureau Chief Report – Alan Risk
Department and Staffing Updates

Reported leadership changes within the Department of Education.
Introduced new Commissioner Dr. Henry Mack.
Announced personnel changes:

Mark Holness hired as Region 4 Consultant.
Recommendation for Angela Elgaard to become Daytona training instructor.
Anticipated Region 7 consultant vacancy.
Recommendation for Brian Ashworth to become Operations Manager following Maureen Fink's retirement.
Anticipated Region 1 consultant vacancy.

Daytona Training Program

Contract with Daytona State College discontinued.
No current trainees due to medical-related withdrawals and enrollment challenges.
Transition planning underway for new instructor.
Potential retraining opportunities may be offered before new classes begin.

Military Dining Contracts

Military dining contracts continue creating significant budget authority challenges.
Current efforts focused on:

Securing budget authority.
Preparing proposal for Tyndall Air Force Base opportunity.
Evaluating alternative set-aside models used by other states.

Bureau Chief reported substantial administrative workload related to military dining contract modifications and approvals.

Program Compliance

Leadership emphasized the need for:

Improved operational compliance.
Consistent corrective actions when facilities fail to meet standards.
Early intervention before facilities are lost.

Technology Initiative

Committee and agency representatives continue evaluating replacement software systems to modernize BEP operations.
Potential capabilities include:

Electronic documentation.
Receipt uploads.
Digital approvals and communication tracking.

Director Report - Trina Travis

Expressed appreciation for the committee's dedication and passion for their work.
Acknowledged that although she may not always respond to emails, all feedback received is carefully reviewed and considered when making decisions.
Reaffirmed strong support for the committee and praised Alan Risk for his leadership and management of the program.
Emphasized that the committee has support at the state level.

Program and Communications Update

Shared that the organization is celebrating its 85th anniversary this year.
Communications efforts are being expanded to promote the anniversary and highlight program success stories.
Communications staff will work with Alan to gather stories, feedback, and input from committee members for anniversary-related outreach and promotional activities.
Confirmed that Alan had already covered all major updates and topics needing discussion.

Discussion Items

Members discussed the possibility of including a former director in anniversary recognition activities.
Noted that the former director was among the first students at the rehabilitation center in 1945 and participated in the 50th anniversary celebration.

Training and Recruiting Report - Mary Ellen Harding

Three students are currently in OJT and expected to complete it by September 18.
There are no students currently in classroom training due to a student experiencing health issues.
Approximately eight prospective applicants are in various stages of application review.
Recruitment and qualification efforts are ongoing.

Monitoring and Financial Report - John Ahler
Monitoring Reviews

A total of 45 monitoring reviews and 4 coaching visits were completed during the previous state fiscal year.
Major compliance issues were not identified.
The primary concern continues to be vendor documentation and record retention, particularly maintaining receipts and purchase records for verification purposes.

Record Retention Challenges

Vendors often provide bank statements, credit card records, or canceled checks but cannot always produce original receipts or invoices when requested during monitoring reviews.
Thermal paper receipts frequently fade, become damaged, or are misplaced.
Discussion highlighted the value of digital recordkeeping and scanning receipts immediately upon receipt.

New System Benefits

Proposed systems would allow vendors to upload receipts and supporting documentation electronically.
Participants agreed this capability could significantly improve monitoring efficiency and reduce recordkeeping issues for both vendors and staff.

Revenue Performance

Revenue increased 6.24%, rising from approximately $12.6 million to $13.4 million after two completed quarters.
The program goal remains approximately $27 million in gross sales for the year.

Gross Profit

Gross profit increased 6.1%, from approximately $7.2 million to $7.6 million.

Expenses

Payroll expenses increased 11%.
Other operating expenses increased approximately 16.5%.
The increase was attributed in part to:

Additional smart coolers.
Micro markets.
Related connectivity and operating costs are now eligible for reporting.

Other Income

Other income increased 101%.
Growth was attributed largely to the expansion of military contracts from three to five contracts.
Other income increased from approximately $161,000 to $325,000 after two quarters.

Set-Aside Funds

Set-aside funds increased approximately 110% compared to the previous year.
Current projections estimate annual collections are between $625,000 and $630,000.
Participants noted that new spending authority allows greater utilization of these funds.

Vendor Earnings

Average vendor earnings were projected to increase from approximately $98,000 to $103,000.
Median vendor earnings remained relatively stable, with slight projected decreases pending final year-end data.

Interstate Revenue

Interstate revenue was reported as down slightly, by less than 1%.
Ongoing facility construction and delayed site openings continue to impact performance.

Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA)

MFA implementation experienced delays due to the departure of a key Department of Education IT contact.
Staff continued sending requests for several weeks before learning the individual had left the position.
DOE is identifying ownership of the process and working toward a solution.
Staff acknowledged receiving vendor inquiries while having limited information themselves.

Training Program Modernization
Ahler emphasized the need to review and modernize training materials and the overall training program.
Key observations:

Vendor responsibilities increasingly require technology skills.
New vendors need proficiency with:

Email communication.
Basic computer usage.
Excel.
Payment platforms.
Cantaloupe systems.
Future vendor portals and self-service systems.

Vending Machine Inventory

Participants discussed prior recommendations for a complete audit of vending equipment and machine inventories.
Concerns included:

Tracking serial numbers.
Tracking asset numbers.
Identifying machine locations.
Maintaining accurate ownership records.

Future System Enhancements

The planned system should allow improved machine tracking and inventory management.

Equipment Removal Challenges
Issues identified:

Vendors relocating machines without notifying consultants.
Machines being returned with card readers still attached.
Lost card readers creating unnecessary replacement costs.
Lack of communication between vendors, consultants, and service providers.

Compliance Officer Report – Dario Turnquest

There are currently 100 active vendors required to meet Continuing Education Unit (CU) compliance requirements for the 2025-2027 reporting period. This total includes assigned vendors and 15 unassigned vendors.
97% of vendors are on pace to meet or exceed their CU requirements.
A compliance report was shared and reviewed.

Grievance and Hearing Update

There have been no new requests for grievance hearings since the June meeting.
On August 13, 2026, a BEP vendor requested an administrative hearing regarding the division's local termination decision.

Selection Cycle

The most recent selection cycle occurred in May 2026.
Results were posted on the program website.

Facility Awards
Region 1

Facility 470 (Non-Highway Vending, Fort Knox Office Park, Tallahassee) awarded to Ricky Ruzika.

Region 2

Facility 503 (Highway Vending, I-75 Northbound Rest Area, Gainesville) awarded to Jonathan Caudill.
Facility 504 (Highway Vending, I-75 Southbound Rest Area, Gainesville) awarded to Orlando Ramirez.
Facility 608 (Non-Highway Vending Route serving Gainesville and Lake City) awarded to Kate Curlin.

Region 3

Facility 409 (Highway Vending, I-95 Southbound Rest Area, Brevard County) awarded to Kash Ahmed (name transcribed as stated).
Facility 509 (Non-Highway Vending Route serving Sumter, Pasco, and Orange Counties) awarded to Vitor Almeida.
Facility 624 (Non-Highway Vending Route serving Orange, Osceola, and Seminole Counties) awarded to William Pease.

New Licensing Report

There have been no newly licensed vendors since the June meeting.
A total of seven new vendors have been licensed during calendar year 2026.

Region and District Reports
Region 1 – Brian Ashworth

On June 22, Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) began a foyer beam restoration project at the four I-10 rest areas located in Jefferson and Leon Counties.
The project includes sandblasting rusted support beams and repainting them.
Work started at the Jefferson County eastbound rest area (Facility 571). Vending machines had to be relocated, resulting in only four of eight machines remaining operational during construction.
Due to reduced machine availability, July sales decreased by approximately $4,000 compared to the same period last year.
Jefferson eastbound work is expected to be completed by September 4. The contractor will then move to Jefferson westbound (Facility 572) for approximately one month before proceeding to the Leon County rest areas.

Region 1 completed its annual property inventory.
All equipment was accounted for and cataloged accordingly.

A 46-inch replacement touchscreen was installed on June 12.
Installation was completed in-house with assistance from the operator, resulting in cost savings to the state.

On August 13, an older snack machine was replaced with a newer model.
Obsolete drink machines were removed from service.

A Pico Vision cooler was installed to replace an outdated drink machine.
The upgrade is expected to increase beverage variety and improve sales opportunities for the operator.

FDOT Headquarters (Facility 632)

The micro market located in the FDOT Headquarters building in Tallahassee will be removed in September.
FDOT is converting the former cafeteria space into a full-service food facility.
Existing vending machine services will remain available after the new cafeteria opens.

District 2 – Patrick Martin

Assisted Woody with vending operations during the FLDOT rest area renovation project.
Reported multiple issues with FLDOT's handling of equipment protection during construction:

Machines that were supposed to be tarped were not protected.
Inventory stored on-site became contaminated with metal shavings and construction debris.
Machines moved outside were exposed to weather and construction conditions.
Coke and Pepsi machines sustained significant contamination due to open top designs, requiring extensive cleaning and electronic repairs.

Recommendations

Findings have been shared with Jim Perry.
Recommendation for future projects:

Wrap machines in industrial moving/stretch wrap for protection.
Remove and warehouse unused machines during six-to-eight-week construction periods to preserve equipment condition.

Support Offer

Patrick offered assistance and staffing support to Kurt and Georgia when similar projects begin in their areas.

Smart Cooler (PicoCooler/Vision Cooler) Update
Initial Deployment at Emergency Operations Center (EOC) Building

Smart cooler was installed at the new EOC building.
Sales averaged approximately $60 per day when connectivity was functioning properly.
Cellular connectivity at the location was unreliable despite installation of a high-gain antenna.
Customer frustration increased due to inconsistent service connectivity.

Relocation to Department of Revenue (DOR)

Cooler was relocated to DOR the previous week.
Current sales are averaging approximately $100 per day.
Projected monthly revenue is estimated to be between $2,000 and $2,500 per month.

Connectivity and Cost Information

Locations without direct internet access require an App Connect cellular solution.
Monthly costs:

App Connect service: approximately $50/month.
Total recurring fees: approximately $60/month.
Locations with direct hardline internet only incur approximately $10/month in fees.

Customer Adoption

Customers adapted quickly to the smart cooler technology.
Few operational issues have been reported.
Recommendation to post instructional flyers and contact information, including a QR code for support requests.

Region 7 – Angela Elgaard
NSA Panama City Facility 619

Mitzi Bowen assumed responsibility for military dining operations at NSA Panama City #619 on April 1, 2026.
She works at the facility once per week alongside the teaming partner and employees.
Mitzi has shown strong initiative in becoming involved in the facility's routine operations.
Staff feedback has been positive, and employees enjoy having her on site.

Marianna Route Facility 532

Dave Wermuth took over Route #532 in Marianna on June 16, 2026.
Performance on the route has been reported as very strong.
Positive feedback was received from Marianna FCI regarding his consistency with refills and arrival times.
Sunland Medical Park also provided favorable comments regarding his refill management and communication practices.

Florida Caverns State Park Expansion

On August 4, 2026, two washers, two dryers, and a bill changer were installed at Florida Caverns State Park.
The park is expected to expand within the next five years.
Additional laundry and vending equipment opportunities are anticipated as a result of the expansion.
The location is part of Route #532 and is operated by Dave Wermuth.

Status Updates

NSA Panama City Facility 619 operations transition completed successfully under Mitzi Bowen.
Marianna Route Facility 532 transition to Dave Wermuth is progressing well with positive customer feedback.
New equipment installation at Florida Caverns State Park completed and positioned for future growth opportunities.

District 1 - Alton Palmore
Nothing to report.

Region 2 – Bernie Kaiserian
Facility Closures and Transitions

Facility 239 (Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office Café) permanently closed at the end of July. Vending operations were transferred to Facility 513 (Downtown Vending Route). Operations will continue at the Sheriff’s Office and Jail until the Sheriff's Department closure in mid-September. After closure, only five machines will remain at the Jail and a satellite court.
Citizen’s Insurance relocated from downtown Jacksonville (served by Facility 513). Initial uncertainty existed regarding continued services; discussions are now underway to establish vending or a micro market at the new location, which will fall within Facility 590 territory.

Facility Operator Changes

Orlando Ramirez assumed operation of Facility 504 (I-75 Southbound Gainesville) on August 11. Previously operated by Troy Arthur under a Type II arrangement.
Leroy Roberts assumed operation of Facility 33 (Duval County Courthouse Café) on August 13. Previously operated by Orlando Ramirez under a Type II arrangement.
Anna “Kate” Curlin assumed operation of Facility 608 (Gainesville/Lake City Vending Route) on August 18. Previously operated by Keith Banta under a Type II arrangement.

Upcoming Bid Opportunities

Facility 564 (Blount Island café and vending) and Facility 525 will be included on an upcoming bid sheet.

Discussion Item: Combination of Facilities
The committee reviewed the recommendation to combine:

Facility 525 – Gainesville Vending Route

Currently operated by Jonathan Caudill under a Type I permit.
Last 12-month sales: approximately $315,000.
9 locations and 30 machines.

Facility 603 – Ocala Vending Route

Currently operated by William Peace under a Type II permit.
Previously bid unsuccessfully as a Type I facility.
Last 12 months sales: approximately $152,000.
16 locations and 41 machines. Rationale

Combining Facilities 525 and 603 would create a larger, more sustainable vending route.
The combined operation would include:

25 locations
Approximately $467,000 in annual sales

The recommendation is intended to create a viable opportunity for vendors and mirrors the recent successful Coleman Prison/Brooksville Vending Route combination.

Status Updates

Facility 239 café closure completed: vending transition underway.
Citizen’s Insurance relocation discussions ongoing regarding future vending/micro market services.
Three facility management transitions completed in August.
Facility 564 and Facility 525 scheduled for future bidding activity.
Recommendation submitted to combine Facilities 525 and 603 for September bidding.

District 4 – Darryl Brinton
Brinton reported successful completion of inventory activities, ongoing support for Leroy Roberts’ transition, and resolution of a minor third-party vendor issue involving Josh Kimry. The primary operational update focused on ongoing Welcome Center renovations, which are expected to improve the facility while allowing operations to continue. Additional discussion covered proposed statewide Welcome Center enhancements, including Eisenhower statues and large American flag installations.

Region 3 – Jay Payne
Facility 285 – Volusia County Route

The operator notified the SLA of their intent to resign from the route.
The changeover process began on July 17.
William Pease is currently servicing the route due to significant service coverage needs.
Facility is scheduled to move to the May Cycle in 2027.

Facility 509/272 – Coleman FCI/Pasco-Hernando Vending Route/

Changeover is scheduled for the week of September 21.
Vitor Almeida was awarded the facility under a Type I operation.
The changeover includes Coleman Prison and Route 272.
Pilot card readers will be installed at the medium facility at Coleman.

Facility 403 – Kennedy Space Center OSB - 1 Snack Bar

Amber Ordaz assumed operations on June 12.
The facility is being operated as a Type II facility.

Facility 409 – Rest Area I-95 Brevard County Southbound (Mims)

Opening has been postponed again.
New projected opening date is October 1.
Original opening date was July 1.
Delay is attributed to installation of the playground and space shuttle equipment.

District 5 – David Stevens
Stevens reported positive progress regarding beverage sales policies within correctional facilities. While low-security facilities continue to require clear drinks only, both the medium-security facility and one maximum-security facility now permit all beverages. The discussion highlighted the significant role wardens play in determining facility-specific policies and acknowledged that future changes may occur as leadership evolves.

District 6 – Kash Ahmed
The group reviewed two vendor requests. Jim Anderson requested development of an average pricing reference by collecting pricing data from highway vendors to help maintain reasonable pricing consistency across rest areas. Additionally, an email request from Bill Pease concerning a story was acknowledged and deferred to the New Business discussion scheduled for later in the meeting.

Region 4 – Mark Holness
Facility Updates

Arthur Johnson was awarded a facility extension for Facility 634 – Polk County Vending route on a Type II location for an additional six months.
VA St. Petersburg Regional Benefit Office located at 9500 Bay Pines Blvd., St. Petersburg, FL is scheduled to open on September 1, 2026.
Facility 642 – Veteran’s Administration Building will operate under Jeff Estebo.

Equipment and Machine Placement

Six new snack machines have been ordered.
One AMS snack machine compressor replacement is planned for the Department of Juvenile Justice in Clearwater.
One snack machine will be installed at the Park and Ride location at 11101 Summerlin Square Dr., Fort Myers Beach.
Four snack machines are planned for the Skyway Bridge rest areas, with two machines on each end of the bridge.
Lovers Key requires two new beverage machines:

One at the parking lot restroom area.
One at the Welcome and Discovery Center.
Maureen is working to have shelters constructed for the machines.

New Business Opportunities

A new vending installation has been requested for USPS, 320 S. Lecanto Hwy, Lecanto, FL 34461:

One beverage machine.
One snack machine.
Anticipated start date: September 1, 2026.

A Jaffamar coffee machine has been requested for Facility 031 (Hillsborough County Courthouse).

The existing coffee vending machine is non-operational.
The current third-party operator is scheduled to remove the machine.

Route and Facility Review

Andrew Willson requested that The Heights Charter School, 15570 Hagie Drive, Fort Myers, FL 33908, be added to his route.
Greg is researching the opportunity and noted:

The facility primarily serves grade school students and daycare operations.
A portion of the facility is used as an adult technical school.
Eligibility and suitability are still under review.
Additional information will be provided later.

Inspections

Property inspections are scheduled for September 8-11, 2026, though dates remain subject to change.
Efforts are ongoing to locate several pieces of equipment before inspections occur.

District 7 – Jose Quintanilla
Quintanilla reported two primary vendor concerns: equipment needs at Kathy Warth’s loading dock operation and communication surrounding projected opening dates for new facilities. Participants welcomed Mark Holness to his consultant role and discussed a communication lapse involving the Bay Pines opening schedule. Mark acknowledged the oversight, explained the circumstances, and confirmed that corrective action was taken immediately. The group agreed on the importance of maintaining timely and transparent communication with vendors and ensuring that operational needs and startup requirements are addressed proactively.

District 8 – Jim Warth
No report.

Region 5 – Alecia Brown
Facility 257 – Palm Beach County Vending Route

Changeover process has been completed between outgoing operator Ed Spence and incoming operator James Ramos.
Transition appears complete with new operator in place.

Facility 547 – Transportation Security Administration

FBI KIOSK has opened and been incorporated into the current service route.
Existing vending operations remain in place at the facility.

Facility 344 – U.S. Post Office West Palm Beach

Current operator Dana Ingram has submitted retirement paperwork.
Facility has been posted as a Type II opportunity.
Award determination is pending.
Changeover has been scheduled.

Facilities 428 and 429 – Rest Area I-95 Martin County Northbound and Southbound

Flooring work in the vending bunker remains to be completed.

District 9 – Mike McCrea
Participants discussed a recent CEU event that featured Tom Castillo, who addressed vendor concerns and provided valuable information to attendees. An update was also provided on the Palm City rest areas, where plans are moving forward for re-flooring improvements in the vending area.

Region 6 – Yusnay Torrens
Facility 117 – Federal Building Miami

Route has been temporarily divided into:

117 North managed by Guillermo Alvarez
117 South managed by Antonio Gonzalez

The route was initially offered to Lilian, but she declined due to the immediate staffing and vehicle requirements.
A new project is underway on the 9th floor of the Claude Pepper Building with MEPS, including plans to expand vending services.

Facilities 156 & 641 – Dade County Justice Building and Miami Dade County State Attorney

Agreement with Miami-Dade County remains pending.

Facility 641 - Miami Dade County State Attorney (Brummer Building)

Technology issues involving internet service and outdated equipment have been resolved following necessary upgrades.
Sales remain stable but relatively low due to the facility’s small size.
The operation was originally accepted as a one-year trial. Despite low sales, the operator has not indicated any intention to leave.

Facility 156 - Dade County Justice Building

Vending and snack bar sales are at record highs compared to the same period in prior years.

Facility 348 – State Regional Service Center (Type II Cafeteria)

The facility was rebid and awarded to the current operator.
Operations will continue under a Type II LOFA for an additional year beginning in September.

Facility 510 – Krome Detention Center Miami

The proposed Micro-Market project remains on hold pending a decision by Derrick Barber with ICE regarding camera usage within the facility.

Facility 512 – Miami FCI Class 1 and 2

A new Type II LOFA is in place under Guillermo.
Facility operations continue to perform very well.

Facility 519 – US Post Office Miami

The management team supporting Guillermo will also assist Daniel Ochoa with cafeteria operations at the Doral USPS facility.

Facility 530 – Federal Detention Center Miami

Facility has been merged into Facility 597.
Paola Espinoza continues to perform very well.

Facility 568 – US Post Office Opa Locka Airport

No new updates reported.

Facility 589 – FAA Miami Program Support Center

Operator has expanded product variety, equipment, and shelving to meet increased demand.
This reflects growing activity and positive performance at the facility.

Facility 606 – US Army Special Forces Operations School

Proposed agreement for the Tavernier Sheriff’s Office is not progressing, as the County has not made a decision.
Discussion continues regarding a potential merger of Facility 512 into 606 as a Type I facility.

Facility 614 – US Post Office Doral Route

Six machines were removed from SouthCo, as previously discussed.
Three new coffee machines have been added to the route.
The new machines are performing well and have been positively received by customers.

District 10 – Antonio Gonzalez
Participants confirmed that notification regarding the removal of a vendor had been provided, indicated they understood the reasoning behind the action, and expressed agreement with the decision to remove the individual referenced in the amendment.

Dave Little – 365 Acquisition of Cantaloupe
Spoke to the Committee about the changes at Cantaloupe with the acquisition by 365. He will send information to Harding to be disseminated to vendors.

Committee and Subcommittee Reports
Promotion and Transfer Subcommittee – Darryl Brinton
Brinton provided an update from a recent meeting with the current selection panel regarding lessons learned from the last promotion and transfer process. The panel identified two primary areas for improvement. First, they requested that three years of applicant information be provided during future reviews, and Dario is already working to implement this change. Second, they emphasized the need to ensure applicant information is accessible to all panel members. Accessibility became a concern when Todd Bowen was unable to access certain materials and, due to confidentiality requirements, could not seek assistance from others involved in the process.

Brinton noted that feedback from newer and less experienced panel members, including Todd Bowen, Lillian, and Alton, was valuable and helped identify opportunities to strengthen the process. Overall, the feedback was viewed as constructive and beneficial.

The discussion then shifted to the need for additional alternate members for selection panels. Based on staffing challenges experienced over the past two years, Brinton recommended increasing the number of alternates from two to four. The goal is to ensure sufficient coverage when regular panel members are unavailable and to provide more flexibility during selection and grievance processes.

Committee members acknowledged a related concern that alternates are often selected but may go many years without being called upon to serve. Members discussed potential ways to keep alternates engaged, including occasionally rotating regular members out of a panel so alternates can gain experience and remain prepared to participate when needed. The conversation also recognized that recent turnover and transitions among panel members have increased the need for alternates compared to previous years.

Training Retraining and Upward Mobility Subcommittee – Darryl Brinton

The committee is revising OJT training guidelines and evaluation tools to improve statewide training consistency.
Assessment interview questions have been updated and are nearing final approval.
Significant concerns remain regarding VR payment processing, hotel authorizations, transportation funding, and trainee maintenance payments.
Committee members believe inadequate counselor training and inconsistent processing practices are major causes of the problem.
A dedicated VR counselor for BEP participants was proposed as a potential solution.
A new requirement has been implemented that trainees must receive approved funding before being sent to OJT.
The committee plans to continue working with leadership to resolve these longstanding issues and improve support for trainees.

NABM – Nicky Gacos

NABM successfully regained the Randolph-Sheppard waiver on July 31.

A conference is scheduled in Atlantic City on September 22-23, 2026, with strong legal and industry representation.
Planning is underway for a Spring 2027 innovation conference focused on the future of Randolph-Sheppard and emerging retail technologies.
Tampa, Florida is being strongly considered as the host location.
Organizers are seeking support and participation from Florida vendors and stakeholders.
The event will emphasize innovation, technology, and direct input from blind vendors regarding future program opportunities.

Motion by Warth to attend the BLAST in Florida in February. Second by Palmore. Warth Called the question. Martin seconded.
Vote:
Alton Palmore - Yes
Patrick Martin - Yes
Mark Turner - Yes
Darryl Brinton - Yes
David Stevens - Yes
Kash Ahmed - Yes
Jose Quintanilla - Yes
Jim Warth - Yes
Mike McCrea - Yes
Antonio Gonzalez - Yes
Kurt Ponchak – Yes
Sead Bekric – Yes

Motion passed unanimously.

Budget Subcommittee – David Stevens
The committee reported that the current budget includes expenditures from Set-Aside funds, the Federal Trust Fund, and general spending allocations. Through July 31, expenditures totaled approximately $24,901 in set-aside funds and $357,403 from the Federal Trust Fund.

A significant concern was identified in the repairs and maintenance category. Expenditures had already reached approximately $192,022 by July 31 against an annual projection of $508,250, meaning nearly half of the annual budgeted amount had been spent after the first month of the reporting period.
Another expenditure category had reached approximately $49,428 compared to a projected annual amount of $57,179, prompting discussion about whether some expenses were related to obligations carried over from the previous year.

Revenue and Cash Balances
The committee reported that approximately $61,780 in facility fees were collected during July. This is consistent with the annual collection goal of approximately $660,000, which requires an average monthly collection of about $55,000. Members indicated collections are currently on track to meet annual projections.
The set-aside fund is projected to end the fiscal year with approximately $250,520 in cash reserves. Following July expenditures, the program reported a cash balance of approximately $269,000.

Long-Term Planning Efforts
The Budget Subcommittee continues to evaluate vending machine replacement schedules and long-term capital planning. Members are working with the SLA to develop a comprehensive inventory of equipment, including age, condition, and replacement cost information. This inventory will support future budgeting decisions and equipment replacement planning.

Repair and Refurbishment Cost Concerns
Members discussed increasing costs associated with coin mechanisms, bill validators, and related vending equipment repairs. The committee noted that labor charges for relatively simple repairs have become substantial and continue to increase. Concerns were also raised about after-the-fact purchases and reimbursement practices that may contribute to higher overall costs.

To address these issues, the subcommittee discussed exploring a statewide procurement process that would:

Standardize repair pricing across the state.
Establish approved repair and refurbishment vendors.
Reduce repair and reimbursement costs.
Improve consistency and efficiency in equipment maintenance services.

Stevens made a motion to develop an Invitation to Bid (ITB) for statewide repair and refurbishment services related to:

Coin mechanisms.
Bill validators.
Related vending equipment repair services.

The proposal would include standardized specifications and pricing and would be brought back to the full committee for review and recommendation before implementation. Motion seconded by Martin.

Vote:
Alton Palmore - Yes
Patrick Martin - Yes
Mark Turner - Yes
Darryl Brinton - Yes
David Stevens - Yes
Kash Ahmed - Yes
Jose Quintanilla - Yes
Jim Warth - Yes
Mike McCrea - Yes
Antonio Gonzalez - Yes
Kurt Ponchak – Yes
Sead Bekric – Yes

Motion was adopted unanimously.

Public Relations Subcommittee – Jose Quintanilla

The committee is pursuing podcast and media opportunities to promote the program.
Efforts are underway to expand outreach to eye care providers, rehabilitation facilities, and other community organizations.
Promotional brochures will be distributed to support local outreach activities.
The committee is evaluating the development of a dedicated website to showcase vendor successes and strengthen recruitment efforts.
A follow-up with the Double Tap podcast is planned to reschedule the interview and increase program visibility.

Policy and Rule Changes – Alan Risk and
Approved for Advancement

Grievance Procedure Rule

Clarified grievance language per RSA guidance.

Vacancy Announcement Rule

Clarified eligibility of OJT trainees for opportunities.
Clarified debt requirements and temporary opportunities.

Application and Selection Rule

Clarified ranking process.
Clarified selection process completion after LOFA execution.

LOFA Rule

Clarified distinction between multiple facilities and a single business opportunity.

Motion to adopt 6A-18.044, 6A-18.0423, 6A-18.0424 and 6A-18.0425 as amended. Adopted without objection.

Grievance Board Terms
Established staggered six-year terms and alternate positions. Motion made by Ponchak to adopt the changes to 6A-18.0423.2. Second by Stevens.

Motion was adopted unanimously.

Concurrent Service Rule 6A-18.043.5
Prohibits simultaneous service on:

State Committee
Selection Panel
Grievance Board

Motion made by Warth to adopt the changes to 6A-18.0423.5. Second by Stevens. Question called by Martin, second by Turner.

Vote:
Alton Palmore - No
Patrick Martin - Yes
Mark Turner - Yes
Darryl Brinton - No
David Stevens - Yes
Kash Ahmed - No
Jose Quintanilla - Yes
Jim Warth - Yes
Mike McCrea - No
Antonio Gonzalez - No
Kurt Ponchak – Yes

Motion passed six to five.

Combination of Facility 525 – Gainesville Vending Route and Facility 603 – Ocala Vending Route.

16 locations
41 machines
Approximately $152,000 in annual sales
Considered somewhat spread out geographically, including locations in Lake County.

Gainesville Route

9 locations
30 machines
Approximately $315,000 in annual sales
Contains several high-performing locations, including machines at the VA Hospital.

Combined Route Opportunity

25 total locations
Approximately 71 machines
Combined annual sales of roughly $467,000.
Compared to a previously successful route consolidation involving the Coleman Prison/Brooksville vending route.
Viewed as a strong business opportunity, particularly for a veteran entrepreneur.

Operational Considerations

Concerns were raised about the workload associated with the Ocala route, based on feedback from previous operators who indicated it required frequent visits.
It was noted that:

Some Lake County locations could potentially be removed.
Several weigh station machines have very low activity and could be eliminated.
These adjustments would improve route efficiency and reduce travel demands.

Gainesville locations generally require weekly service, with the exception of VA Hospital machines that may need servicing twice per week.
Participants expressed doubt that any Ocala locations would require service more than once per week, with some potentially suitable for biweekly service.

Motion to combine Facility 525 and Facility 603 by Warth. Second by Gonzales. Question called by Warth Second by Quintanilla

Motion passed unanimously.

Combine Facility 606 with Facility 512.

Antonio proposed combining Facility 606, a military-related operation and small route in Key West, with Facility 512, the prison facility in South Miami.
The proposal was driven by ongoing staffing challenges associated with operating the Key West route independently. Limited work availability and the significant travel time between Miami and Key West make recruitment and retention difficult. Travel between the locations can take approximately four hours.
Combining the facilities would create a larger opportunity that could support stable staffing levels and improve operational efficiency.

Operational Concerns

Antonio explained that the prison facility has operated as a Type II opportunity for the past four years and has had four different vendors during that period, indicating instability.
The proposed merger is intended to:

Provide a stable vendor for the prison facility.
Improve staffing opportunities for the operator.
Create enough workload to support an employee working three to four days per week or more.

Antonio reported discussing the proposal with vendors in his district, who generally viewed the combination as a logical solution.

Agency Position

Agency representatives confirmed that the proposal had staff recommendation and support.

Questions and Clarifications
Impact on Existing Vendors

A question was raised regarding whether the combination would negatively impact another vendor.
It was clarified that Facility 512 is currently operated as a Type II opportunity, and the current agreement expires in February, minimizing any adverse impact.

Geographic and Operational Logic

Members discussed whether Facility 512 was the most logical facility to combine with Facility 606.
Agency representatives explained that the prison location was the closest feasible opportunity and that the prison alone would not qualify as a Type 1 opportunity.

Previous Expansion Efforts

Discussion referenced prior efforts to explore combining operations with military dining opportunities at Guantanamo Bay.
Those efforts were unsuccessful because permission was not granted.

Location Advantages

It was noted that Facility 512 is located near Antonio's residence and along his travel route to Key West, making the arrangement operationally convenient.

Reporting Consideration

A committee member requested that reporting remain separate for each facility even if the opportunities were merged. This would allow the program to evaluate facility performance independently in the future.
Agency representatives confirmed:

The facilities could continue to be reported separately.
Military dining revenue is already reported through a separate process and does not enter the standard monthly reporting system.
Vending route sales and military dining income are accounted for separately.

Clarification was provided that the proposal combines Facilities 512 and 606 as a single opportunity while maintaining separate reporting for operational and program-management purposes.

Motion to combine Facility 606 with Facility 512 made by Gonzales with separate reporting to take effect after the Type II. Second by Warth.

Question called by Warth, Second by Patrick

Passed unanimously.

Storage Review

Policy and Budget Committees are directed to jointly review storage standards and funding options and return recommendations.
Discussion included:

Storage shortages.
Reimbursement limitations.
Need for statewide standards.

Saturday, August 22, 2026

Guest: Colton Knight

Public Comments
Building Air Conditioning and Temperature Issues – Patrick Martin

Vendors expressed concerns about reduced air conditioning in state buildings during evenings, weekends, and holidays.
Reports indicated product spoilage, increased stress on refrigeration equipment, and potential food safety concerns.
Members emphasized the importance of documenting losses, temperature readings, and equipment impacts.
Alan Risk agreed to elevate concerns to agency leadership and engage with the Department of Management Services regarding the issue.

Storage Facility Concerns

Discussion focused on high temperatures and inadequate conditions in vendor storage areas.
Members raised concerns regarding food safety, ventilation, and electrical service at certain locations.
Agency staff committed to reviewing reported issues and following up where necessary.

ACB National Conference Update

Committee members received an update regarding the American Council of the Blind National Conference.
The 2027 conference is scheduled to be held in Jacksonville, Florida.
Members discussed potential opportunities for vendor and program involvement.

Cantaloupe Payment Systems

Vendors requested clarification on credit card authorization holds and multi-vend settings.
Agency staff explained how authorization limits function and discussed methods to reduce customer complaints while maintaining operational efficiency.
Vendors were encouraged to review machine settings and transaction reports with consultants.

Marketing and Website Improvements

Concerns were raised about outdated promotional materials and vendor photographs.
Agency staff reported that website updates are in progress, including updated vendor profiles and current photographs.
Consultants will continue collecting photos and information for the website refresh.

Procurement Updates

Agency staff provided updates on pending vending machine procurement activities.
Future solicitations may include smart coolers and payment validation technologies.
Evaluation of available smart cooler solutions is underway before issuance of a formal solicitation.

Distressed Facility Policy Discussion

Committee members discussed establishing a formal process for identifying and supporting distressed facilities.
Ideas included:

Defined criteria for distress designation.
Increased consultant support and monitoring.
Corrective action plans.
Improved documentation standards.

The proposal referred to the Policy and Procedures Subcommittee for further review and development.

Major Outcomes

Agency leadership will pursue discussions regarding building temperature controls and vendor impacts.
Website modernization efforts will continue.
Procurement planning remains active for future equipment needs.
Development of a formal distressed facility process will move forward through the Policy and Procedures Subcommittee.

Action Items

Alan Risk to elevate air-conditioning concerns through agency leadership channels.
Vendors to document product losses, temperature readings, and related impacts.
Agency staff to investigate storage facility concerns.
Policy and Procedures Subcommittee to review and develop recommendations regarding distressed facility criteria and procedures.
Staff and consultants to continue website updates and vendor photo collection.

Meeting Adjourned

Quarterly Meeting of the State Committee of Vendors

August 21, 2026

Saturday, August 22, 2026

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